RURAL post offices in Dorset under threat of closure face a brighter future after reports the government has agreed to extend a £150 million national subsidy to 2008.

Dorset Community Action, which works with local post offices which, whether through funding or retirement, are in danger of closing, has welcomed the news and says the ex-tension will give it time to work with communities to find alternatives.

This summer the Daily Echo reported that 42 rural post offices in Dorset have closed their doors since 1991 due to dwindling customer numbers. But Dorset Community Action has been working hard helping satellite branches open at set times in local pubs and village halls.

The government subsidy was due to run out in 2006, which could have meant the decline of such post offices, but the extension means the group has more chance of retaining some of the area's threatened branches.

Simon Thompson, community field worker at Dorset Community Action, said: "This is an initiative that we very much welcome because it gives us time to work with communities when a post office does close to try and continue the service.

"This funding provides for the post office to reopen or relocate to another shop within 12 months of closure.

"This funding is a vote of confidence to rural communities which are strug-gling to keep their services open - it is the government acknowledging that there shouldn't be more closures."

It is hoped the move will help residents in Witchampton whose Post Office closed around six weeks ago.

The Post Office was unable to confirm the reported subsidy extension and a spokesperson said it was involved in ongoing discussions with the Department of Trade and Industry regarding plans after 2006.

First published: August 20